Soviet Control and Marxist Government, 1980-89

Despite its fatal weaknesses, the DRA generated a remarkable political
process during its short history. When Babrak Karmal was installed as head of
state by invading Soviet forces at the beginning of 1980, his government faced
crippling disabilities. Installation by a foreign power prevented popular
acceptance of the legitimacy of his government. Even though the Parchamis,
themselves, had been among the groups most viciously persecuted by the Khalqis,
their identification with Marxism and Soviet repression was not forgiven.
Indeed, the decimation of their members forced the Soviets to insist on
reconciliation between the two factions. The purging of Parchamis had left the
military forces so dominated by Khalqis that the Soviets had no choice but to
rely upon Khalqi officers to rebuild the army.

Soviet miscalculation of what was required to crush Afghan resistance further
aggravated the government's situation. The Afghan army was expected to carry the
burden of suppressing opposition, which was to be done quickly with Soviet
support. As the war of pacification dragged on for years, the Babrak Karmal
government was further weakened by the poor performance of its army.